14. Molding and Casting¶
1. Group Work: Material Exploration and Safety¶
- Gathered and tested 8 types of silicones and liquid plastics available in the lab.
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-305/
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-326/
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/dragon-skin-10-medium/
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/sorta-clear-18/
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/mold-max-60/
✅ https://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/products/industrial/art-statuary/hydro-stone-super-x-gypsum-cement.html
✅ https://www.smooth-on.com/products/ecoflex-00-30/
- Created a comparison table summarizing material specifications and best-use recommendations.
- Recorded differences in properties: mix ratio, pot life, cure time, color, and typical use cases.
| Material Name | Type | Mix Ratio | Pot Life | Cure Time | Color | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth-Cast 305 ✅ | Liquid Plastic | 1A:1B Volume | 7 min | 30 min | White | Fast setting, good detail casting |
| Smooth-Cast 326 ✅ | Liquid Plastic | 1A:1B Volume | 7 min | 60 min | Off-White | Color match, large casts |
| Dragon Skin 10 Medium ✅ | Silicone Rubber | 1A:1B Volume/Weight | 20 min | 5 hrs | Translucent/Purple | Highly flexible, tear-resistant |
| Sorta-Clear 18 ✅ | Silicone Rubber | 100A:10B Weight | 60 min | 24 hrs | Clear | Skin-safe, needs vacuum degassing |
| Mold Max 60 ✅ | Silicone Rubber | 100A:3B Weight | 40 min | 24 hrs | Pink | Heat resistant up to 294°C |
| UNITED SAT ✅ | Silicone Rubber | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | White/Clear | General purpose |
| Ecoflex 00-30 ✅ | Platinum Silicone Rubber | 1A:1B Weight | 45 min | 4 hrs | Translucent | Extremely soft, skin-safe |
| OOMOO 25 ✅ | Tin Silicone Rubber | 1A:1B Volume | 15 min | 75 min | Blue | Easy use, no degassing |
| Hydro-Stone Super X ✅ | Gypsum Cement | Water mix | N/A | 17–20 min | White | Strong durable gypsum |
| Ultimate Drystone ✅ | Casting Media | Water mix | N/A | 17–20 min | White | Ultra-hard lightweight gypsum |
Safety and Technical Datasheets¶
Each material is documented with a technical datasheet (specifications, processing) and a safety datasheet (hazards, precautions).
Example: Smooth-Cast® 305 Safety Info
Example: Smooth-Cast® 305 First Aid Info
- Learned safe use of vacuum pump and compressor, including checking PSI and oil levels.
Additional chamber images:
2. Material Preparation and Curing¶
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Divided materials for individual trials (We tested 8 materials).
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Samples poured, vacuumed, and cured over 24 hours.
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Results analyzed for surface quality, curing behavior, and demolding ease.
